Improvement in privy-indicators



W. C. DUFF IELD.

Privy Indicators.

No. 136,224. Patented Feb.25,18 73.

Wimessas inventor.

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\VILLlAM G. DUFFIELD, OF \VHEELING, \VEST' VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JOSEPH A. FARIS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN PRIVY-INDICATORS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,224, dated liebruary 25, 1872).

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM 0.1)UFF1ELD, of Wheeling, in the county of Ohio, Vest Virginia, have invented a new and useful Privy- Indicator, of which the following is a specification:

Nature and Objects of the Invention.

My invention relates to the provision in the outer wall of a privy or water-closet of an opening or window, and in connection therewith of a board or card having painted or printed upon it the two words Vacant and Occupied. This board is mounted upon the upper end of a rod, which, by suitable mechanical connection with a depressible seat and floor, causes the word Vacant to occupy the opening when the seat and floor are in their normal or elevated condition, and the word Occupied to appear instead of it when occupancy causes the seat and floor to assume their depressed position.

General Description.

Figure l is a side elevation of a privy provided with my indicator in the Vacant condition. Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections of the same in the lines .1: 0a and y y, respectively.

A may represent a customary depressible privy-seat; A, a depressible floor. B is a rod hinged to the under side of the seat, and connected, by lever O, with a rod, D, confined to a vertical position by guides E, and surmounted by a board, F, on whose outer face are printed the words Vacant and Occupied in such positions upon the board that when the seatis in the position indicated in the drawing, and the board consequently in its lowest position, the word Vacant shall appear opposite the openin g G, and be, consequently, visible from without; and when, by the occupancy of the seat, the latter becomes depressed, the board shall be thereby lifted to its highest position, so as to bring opposite the opening the word Occupied. B and O are, respectively, a rod and a lover, discharging, in connection with a depressible floor, A, similar functions to the rod B and lever (3.

It will be seen that the weight of the board 13 and of the rod D, to which it is attached,

will indicate that the place is occupied. This;

therefore, I do not claim.

The essential feature in my invention is a 7 sign carrying two notices and sliding behind an opening through which one only of them can be seen at once, so that one or the other notice will be exposed at all times.

Claim.

I'clailn as new and of my invention The combination and arrangement of the hinged seat A, floor A, slide F, and connec;

tions 1) B O O, constructed and operating as herein described, to cause the word Vacant or Occupied, or their equivalent, to show through the aperture G, for the purpose explained.

W. O. DUFFIELD. Witnesses:

J. Sr. J. CLARKSON, JOSEPH A. FARIS. 

